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BOOK OF ABSTRACTS
THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF THE NORWEGIAN
ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Biodiversity and ecosystem services in a changing environment:
Challenges for science and conservation
Trondheim 13 - 15 mars 2013
-1-
Key Note presentation
The challenges of operationalising the ecosystem service paradigm
Steve Albon* The james Hutton Institute)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Although there are uncertainties and gaps in our knowledge base, we have sufficient
information to manage our ecosystems, and the flows of services from them, more
sustainably, and good evidence of the benefits of doing so. Yet systematic integration of value
evidence into decision-making is poor, as the supply of valuation evidence does not always
match the demands of decision-makers. I will draw upon work undertaken in the UK National
Ecosystem Assessment (2011) and its follow on work, as well as that of the Valuing Nature
Network (www.valuing-nature.net). I will discuss issues dealing with complexity of socioecological systems, the sustainability of natural capital stocks underpinning the flow of
ecosystem services, including, the role of biodiversity. I will conclude by considering, How
do we integrate natural and social science information on values into governance and
decision-making?
-2-
Key Note presentation
Global Mountain Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Space and Time
John B. Birks* (University of Bergen)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
I review global mountain plant biodiversity in geographical space, ecological space, and,
briefly, in time. About 12.3% of Earth’s terrestrial surface (excluding Antarctica) qualifies as
mountains, the most mountainous being Oceania, S America, and Asia. The most biodiverse
mountain areas are in Asia and Africa. Species richness often shows a unimodal peak at mid
altitudes. Of 33 mountain regions, 24 show a unimodal species peak, 19 of which coincide
with a mid-altitude peak in precipitation. Of these 24 mid-altitude biodiversity peaks, 7 occur
in the upper montane and 9 in the lower montane belt. The limited knowledge of mountain
biodiversity in time comes from DNA phylogenies and palaeoecological studies in Europe
and N America. Interpretation of recent changes in mountain diversity highlights the
importance of fine-scale landscape heterogeneity.
Mountain ecosystems include provision, regulatory, and cultural services. A fifth of
the world’s population live in mountains and 66% of Earth’s freshwater comes from
mountains. The most important ecosystem service is the “lowland–upland contract of society”
where lowland productivity is required to support up-slope society and to maintain multiple
functions. I review potential threats to mountain biodiversity and show that these are different
in different mountain areas. One result of this synthesis is that the greatest threats (land-use
changes, invasives, climate change) are in the montane belt just below the thermal tree-line
rather than in alpine belts above the tree-line.
I conclude with 12 major challenges if we are to understand mountain biodiversity,
their services, and responses to future environmental changes.
-3-
Key Note presentation
Predicting changes in species diversity in a fluctuating environment.
Bernt-Erik Sæther* (CCB, NTNU)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Predicting the impact of various kinds of human activities on species numbers and
abundances represents an enormous challenge to ecologists. This is difficult because reliable
projections about the future, independent of whether one refers to genetic changes, trends in
population sizes or in species numbers, require that density dependent processes as well as
stochastic influences on the population dynamics are properly modelled and estimated.
Because data rarely will be available for doing such analyses, it is an urgent need for
identifying general principles that can provide a qualitatively understanding of the expected
patterns in future dynamics based on some easily accessible characteristics of the system.
Here I will present some patterns in the effects of environmental and demographic
stochasticity on the dynamics at the genetical, population and community level, which have
emerged from a combination of theoretical analyses and comparative studies of empirical
data. I propose that these patterns provide a foundation for a new synthesis in which different
sub-disciplines in ecology as well as other sub-disciplines are more integrated within a similar
theoretical and conceptual than today. This will enable ecologists to develop better predictions
about expected changes in species diversity, e.g. due to changes in climate or loss of critical
habitat types.
-4-
Key Note presentation
Does biodiversity have anything to do with ecosystem services?
Signe Nybø* (NINA)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
No abstract.
-5-
Oral presentation
Inferring the past, understanding the present: case studies from phylogeography
Hans K. Stenøien* (NTNU Museum of Natural History and Archaeology)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Understanding how historical and contemporary processes shape species diversity is not only
fundamental to evolutionary biology, but may also be important for efficient management of
biodiversity. I will present a few case studies from phylogeographic studies of mosses,
lichens, flowering plants and deer to illustrate how knowledge of historical past may be useful
in conservation.
-6-
Oral presentation
Interdependent effects of climate and land use change: a 30 year experimental study
Nina Sletvold* (Uppsala University), Johan Dahlgren (Stockholm University) Dag-Inge Øien
(NTNU Museum of Natural History) Asbjørn Moen (NTNU Museum of Natural History)
Johan Ehrlén (Stockholm University)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Changes in climate and land use are expected to have large effects on the viability of
populations worldwide. The effects of climate and land use change are also likely to be
interdependent, and interact with local habitat conditions. Therefore, flexible management
practices that adapt to the prevailing climate and local conditions are needed. We used 30
years of demographic data to estimate the simultaneous effects of management practices and
among-year variation in four climatic variables on individual survival, growth and fecundity
in one coastal and one inland population of the perennial orchid Dactylorhiza lapponica in
Norway. Statistical models of how climate and management practice influenced individual
vital rates were incorporated into matrix population models to quantify effects on population
growth rate. Effects of climate differed between mown and control plots in both populations.
In particular, population growth rate increased more strongly with summer temperature in
mown plots than in control plots. Population growth rate declined with spring temperature in
the inland population, and with precipitation in the coastal population, and the decline was
stronger in control plots in both populations. These results support the notion that climatic
factors which positively influence vital rates have stronger effects in mown plots where
competition is reduced. The results also show that effects of management actions like mowing
may strongly depend on climatic factors. This underscores the importance of considering
interactions between climate and land use to reliably predict future population viability and to
optimize conservation actions.
-7-
Oral presentation
Changing environments causing time delays in population dynamics
Erik Solbu* (Centre for Conservation Biology, Department of Mathematical Sciences,
NTNU), Steinar Engen (Centre for Conservation Biology, Department of Mathematical
Sciences, NTNU), Ola Håvard Diserud (Norwegian Institute for Nature Research)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Changing environments can cause temporal variation in parameters describing population
dynamics. To assess the viability of such populations, stationary models may not be
satisfactory. We use a linear diffusion process, where parameters are deterministic functions
of time, to study populations affected by e.g. habitat fragmentation. Contrary to stationary
models, there is a difference between the expected population size and the carrying capacity.
The difference depends on the magnitude of the change in expected population size and the
mean return time to equilibrium, causing a time delay in the population dynamics. This gives
a simple rule of thumb for viability analysis and we illustrate the idea with simulated and real
data.
-8-
Oral presentation
Demographic autocorrelation in a stage-structured population model
Aline Magdalena Lee* (Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology,
Norwegian University of Science and Technology), Steinar Engen (CBD, NTNU) and BerntErik Sæther (CBD, NTNU)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Life histories commonly involve correlations in individual demographic rates from one year
to the next. For example, in many systems reproductive output is not independent among
years. When reproduction is costly, offspring production at one time step can decrease an
individual’s probability of reproducing at the next time step. Reproductive costs can also
affect survival probabilities. Conversely, individual quality differences can generate positive
correlations in individual reproductive rates between years. Such demographic
autocorrelations can affect important population parameters such as the demographic
variance, and thus population dynamics and genetics. However, traditional matrix population
models do not have the capacity to deal with these correlations. I will present a matrix model
that accounts for this demographic autocorrelation, and show how estimates of population
dynamics could be affected when demographic autocorrelations are ignored.
-9-
Oral presentation
Bayesian Networks: A framework to analyse the ecological capacity of ecosytem service
provision
Graciela M.Rusch* (Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)), Carlos Pérez
Carmona (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain) David N. Barton (Norwegian Insitute
for Nature Research) Mayécor Diouf (Institut sénégalais de recherches agricoles, Senegal)
and Cristina Armas (Instituto de Zonas Áridas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones
Científicas, Almería, Spain) Dioumacor Fall (Institut sénégalais de recherches agricoles,
Senegal).
*e-mail : [email protected]
Abstract
The concept of ecosystem services (ES), i.e. the contributions of ecosystems to human wellbeing bridges ecological and economic values. The scientific development of the ecological
dimension is essential for the overall theoretical progress in the field and for the
implementation of the ES framework. Some tasks ahead are to identify the functions that
sustain a particular ES, to search for indicators or proxies that can describe the capacity of the
natural system to maintain these functions, and to assess how the management of natural
systems affects this capacity. The field of functional ecology opens new avenues to explore
the question of indicators of ecological function since the approaches aim to characterise
organisms according to characteristics that are related to functions, such as those involved in
carbon and nutrient acquisition in plants. We propose that in a similar way, the relationship
between structural characteristics of organisms and/or organism groups and particular
functions that support the provision of ES can be explored. Using a data set of savannah tree
attributes, we illustrate the use of Bayesian networks (BNs) to establish the probability of a
causal relationship between tree characteristics and the productivity of the understorey
vegetation. In this way, we analyse the capacity of the silvopastoral system to produce forage
as a function of the tree species and soil characteristics, taking into consideration within
species variability and an estimation of the degree of uncertainly of the functional response.
- 10 -
Oral presentation
Mapping and assessing the state of ecosystems and their services in Norway and
Europe; from proxies and scattered data availability towards a coherent analytical
framework
Jiska van Dijk* (NINA), Graciela Rusch (NINA), Roel May (NINA) and Frank Hanssen
* e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
At different national levels mapping and assessment of ecosystems and their services
initiatives are currently undertaken. In synergy the EU DG-Environment (DG-Env) working
group MAES (Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services) works on a
common methodological framework. The MAES work will contribute to the EU response to
several Aichi targets, through restoring 15% of degraded ecosystems by 2020 thereby
contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and through integrating biodiversity
values in accounting systems. This is also relevant to Norway regarding its obligations and
commitments to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The results of the mapping
and assessment should support the maintenance and restoration of ecosystems and their
services.
For this work it is important that national priorities are identified and that the by
MAES proposed common typologies for ecosystems and ecosystem services are used to allow
for consistent aggregation across scales and comparison of results. In addition, it is important
to assess data availability and methods for ecosystem mapping and assessment for Norway.
Mapping and assessing the state of ecosystems and their services in Norway will be tightly
aligned with the evolving research infrastructure (RI) initiatives at both European, Nordic and
national levels (i.e. GBIF, The Norwegian and Swedish Biodiversity Information facilities,
Lifewatch, EUBON, the Norwegian Marine Data Centre and the Digital information system
for natural history collections- DINA) . At the EU level this data availability assessment is
currently undertaken by DG-Env and the European Environmental Agency (EEA).
The initial methodological work on biophysical mapping and assessment within the
MAES work is expected to be delivered by 2014 and an update of the progress so far will be
presented. In addition an outline of data availability and methods used in Norway will be
presented as well as the challenges Norway has in this respect. Also future work to enable
Norway to line up with a coherent analytical framework while securing data availability and
minimizing proxy approaches will be discussed.
- 11 -
Oral presentation
Renewable energy – consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services
Roel May* (Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)), Kjetil Bevanger (NINA), Jiska
van Dijk (NINA), Zlatko Petrin (NINA) and Hege Brende (NINA)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
The EU Renewables Directive dictates an increase of renewable energy by 20% by 2020. The
EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020 indicates that conservation of biodiversity should be viewed in
the context of both human use of nature and adaptation to climate change. Renewable energy
is seen as an important measure to reduce the effects of climate change; however, further
land-use and seascape development will impact nature to a certain degree on top of existing
pressures. Environmental design may play a role to mitigate biodiversity impacts; illustrated
here through examples from on-going R&D at the Centre for Environmental Design of
Renewable Energy (CEDREN). Wind-power development is expected to expand considerably
towards 2020. Norway also wishes to become Europe's renewable battery and green energy
supplier, using its vast hydropower resources. The greatest bottleneck to further development
of renewable energy, however, may be power transmission. The combined impact of several
power plants, and associated power lines, on nature and our own livelihood requires thorough
(strategic) environmental impact assessments and standardized monitoring approaches. It also
requires a thorough pre-construction spatial siting selection to avoid the most conflict-ridden
areas; with respect to ecology, technology, economics, aesthetics and existing land use.
Although renewable energy is essential for society it is important to understand the species-,
site- and season-specific ecological impacts. New approaches and technologies are essential
to reduce environmental impacts and offer solutions (“eco-innovation”) for future renewable
energy development. It is important to emphasize that at the end of the mitigation hierarchy
there will always remain a net-impact which may be offset through compensation activities.
Regardless of technological, socio-economic and environmental challenges, there should be a
balance in how we use ecosystem services irrespective of short-term profitability: biodiversity
and resources as natural capital for the future.
- 12 -
Oral presentation
COAT - Climate- ecological Observatory for Arctic Tundra
Audun Stien* (Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Fram Centre), Kari Anne Bråthen,
Elisabeth Cooper, Dorothee Ehrich, Vera H. Hausner, John-André Henden, Rolf A. Ims,
Ingrid Jensvoll, Siw Killengreen, Virve Ravolainen, Nigel G. Yoccoz (Department of Arctic
and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø), Martin Biuw, Per Fauchald, Jane U. Jepsen,
Ingunn Tombre, Torkild Tveraa (Department of Arctic Ecology, Norwegian Institute of
Nature Research), Eva Fuglei, Jack Kohler, Åshild Ø. Pedersen (Norwegian Polar Institute),
Steve Coulson, Pernille B. Eidesen, Eike Müller (University Centre of Svalbard), Ole Einar
Tveito (Norwegian Meteorological Institute) and Jesper Madsen (University of Aarhus)
*e-post : [email protected]
Abstract
The arctic tundra is predicted to be more challenged by climate change than any other
terrestrial biome. The rapid shift to new climate regimes is likely to give rise to new
ecosystems with unknown properties, making science unable to accurately predict the
associated outcomes and long-term consequences. This realization has led to several
international calls for scientifically robust observation systems that enable real time detection,
documentation and understanding of climate impacts on arctic tundra ecosystems. The COAT
(Climate-ecological Observatory for Arctic Tundra) science plan is the Fram Centre response
to these calls. COAT will be implemented at two sites representing the Norwegian sector of
the tundra biome (Varanger peninsula and Svalbard). In addition, plans are made for “sister
observatories” in arctic Russia.
COAT is a system for long-term adaptive ecosystem monitoring based on food-web
theory. Fundamental to COAT is (1) the formulation of conceptual climate impact prediction
models for the food web and the use of these models to decide on the choice of state variables,
monitoring targets, sampling designs and mathematical/statistical modeling approaches; (2) a
focus on management and relevance for society, with formal involvement of stakeholders,
policymakers and management authorities; (3) a monitoring plan for public perception and
use of ecosystem services and nature; and (4) an adaptive design where climate impact
models, monitoring design and methods are updated in response to new knowledge,
technologies and societal priorities.
The goal of COAT is to become the world’s most comprehensive and management
relevant long-term research enterprise for arctic terrestrial ecosystems.
- 13 -
Oral presentation
Is there more than climate warming causing the upward movements of high-alpine
plants in Europe?
John-Arvid Grytnes* (Universitetet i Bergen), Jutta Kapfer, Gerald Jurasinski, Hilary H.
Birks, Hanne Henriksen, Kari Klanderud, Arvid Odland, Mikael Ohlsson, Gian-Retho
Walther, Sonja Wipf, and H.J.B. Birks
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Species ranges have shifted northwards in latitude and upwards in altitude in recent decades.
Climate, especially temperature, is usually considered to be the most important limiting factor
for species ranges and recent shifts in species ranges have therefore been commonly explained
as a response to recent climate warming. However, several alternative hypotheses have been
proposed to explain these altitudinal shifts, including increased deposition of atmospheric
nitrogen, changes in precipitation or moisture availability, and dispersal limitation. We
amalgamated observed shifts in the upper range-limit of alpine plants on 115 European
mountains from Svalbard in the north to Italy in the south and evaluated the hypotheses
mentioned. On these 115 mountains nearly 70% of the species that showed detectable change
in their upper range-limits between surveys had shifted their range-limits upwards, and the
same species tend to move up on different mountains. When relating change in temperature to
the proportion of species shifting upwards we find no indication that temperature increase
causes the upward movement of species. Correspondingly, no more warmth-demanding
species moves upwards than expected by randomness. A lower proportion of species migrated
upwards on mountains that experienced the highest increase in summer precipitation.
- 14 -
Oral presentation
Man and forest: the Himalayan hill farming system
Inger Måren* (Department of Geography, University of Bergen)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Forests play a profound role in rural livelihoods in the developing world and the increasing
demands on ecosystem services over the past 50 years have been fulfilled at the cost of
diversity loss ecosystem and degradation. Generally, there is a supply of ecosystem functions
and a demand of services. In Asia, particularly, there is high demand and high supply, and
there are inadvertently trade-offs between services.
In the Nepalese Himalayas we sat up a network of three paired sites inside and outside
formally protected areas, in order to assess if and how legal regime affected woody species
richness and ecosystem service delivery; e.g. firewood, fodder, timber, litter, and edible and
medicinal plants. Woody species richness, carbon stocks, and forest structure/regeneration
were analysed in 540 plots in temperate broad-leaved forests between 2000 and 2500 masl.
Trends in land use practices connected to the forest ecosystem were documented by
interviewing subsistence farmers.
The six sites showed high species turnover, reflecting high regional differences in species
composition. In the Langtang and Kathmandu regions woody species richness was higher in
National Park forests than in the adjacent Government Managed Forests. In the Annapurna
region this was not the case. In the Langtang region carbon stocks were almost twice as high
inside the National Park than outside. Further, we discovered substantial differences in forest
‘health’ regardless of legal framework, where distance to nearest village was an important
indicator. Our work shows that the demand for evidence-based natural resource management
for sustaining ecosystem function and ecosystem service delivery is pressing in a global South
perspective.
- 15 -
Oral presentation
Early detection of invasive alien species – the usefulness of distribution modeling
Inger Auestad* (Høgskulen i Sogn og Fjordane), Rune Halvorsen (NHM, UiO), Vegar
Bakkestuen (NHM, UiO) and Lars Erisktad (NHM, UiO)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Invasive alien species (IAS) presently cause immense economical loss, and pose great threats
to ecosystems and organisms worldwide. IAS may moreover constrain successful restoration
of ecosystems. Efficient combat of IAS rests on targeted measures and early detection. The
tendency of ornamental IAS to invade road verges makes these areas suitable for early
detection and successful monitoring of such species. The generally low prevalence in early
stages of invasion necessitates unequal probability sampling of IAS, in which high-risk areas
are oversampled in comparison to low-risk areas. We present a method for predicting IAS risk
levels based on distribution modeling (DM), exemplified by modeling the distribution of five
ornamental species along road verges in Southern Norway. We combined nine environmental
variables as predictors and presence-only data for model training in the widely used DM
program Maxent. Evaluation by independent presence-absence data sampled in a nested
design revealed that good – excellent models could be built. The study hence showed that DM
provides a good basis for risk prediction and, accordingly, for monitoring design aimed on
early detection of IAS. In addition to predicting species’ potential occurrence in space
(demonstrated in this study), DM may predict potential occurrence in time. Moreover, DM
may aid general identification of species – environment relationships. The approach is
presently being improved through development of procedures for parsimonious building of
distribution models.
- 16 -
Oral presentation
Effects of supplementary feeding stations for moose (Alces alces) on field layer
vegetation composition
Karen Marie Mathisen*(Hedmark University College), Torgersen, S. B. and Skarpe, C.
(HIHM)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Herbivore numbers have been increasing across Europe and North America in recent decades,
with implications for whole ecosystems, including impacts on biodiversity. Moose
populations in Scandinavia are no exception, leading to intense browsing of commercially
important boreal forests. Supplementary winter feeding is a common management practice in
areas with high densities of cervids. Supplementary winter feeding of moose leads to high
concentrations of nutrient input from dung and urine and browsing locally around feeding
stations, the impact declining with distance to feeding stations. This gradient has a strong
effect on the vegetation around feeding stations. We investigated how moose browsing and
nutrient input affects the field layer vegetation composition, cover and flowering in a gradient
with increasing distance from feeding stations for moose. Non-browsed species that were
nutrient-demanding and light-tolerant increased locally at feeding stations. Reproduction and
cover of dwarf shrubs showed contrasting responses to a gradient in moose density, as cover
increased and reproduction decreased close to feeding stations. Cover of herbs decreased, and
cover of dwarf shrubs increased close to feeding stations. Our results indicate that
supplementary feeding stations for moose create strong gradients locally (<100m of feeding
stations) that affect plant community composition. These gradients differ from natural
gradients in herbivore density by the high input of moose dung caused by supplementary feed.
- 17 -
Oral presentation
Can the intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH) explain herbivory effects in a
natural forest system?
Stein Joar Hegland* (The Norwegian Red deer Centre)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Background: Herbivory is one of the most important biotic disturbance-types globally. In
northern forest ecosystems the population densities of wild-ranging ungulates have reached
historical heights and they are potentially a major determinant of plant diversity.
Study design: We performed detailed sampling of the forest understorey vegetation at 12
Pinus-Vaccinium forest sites on the island Svanøy across a 10-year period. We combined a
semi-experimental gradient approach with an experimental exclosure approach. In grazed
sites we monitored the grazing frequency on the dominant plant species bilberry and
developed a herbivory index.
Research questions: We wanted to know whether the impact of red deer herbivory could be
explained by the IDH, often used by managers as operational guideline.
Model testing: We tested whether linear or quadratic models with herbivory intensity best
could explain species richness (total and functional groups). Results from the experimental
exclosure approach validated the gradient models.
Results: Overall species richness increased with increasing herbivory intensity, but decreases
slightly as herbivory becomes intense (a quadratic model). In general woody species groups
respond negatively to increasing grazing intensity, whereas groups in field- and bottom layer
of the forest respond positively to increasing grazing intensity.
Conclusions: The IDH can partly explain the overall pattern of species richness as a function
of red deer herbivory intensity. Red deer herbivory appears to be positive within natural
limits. The impact is considerably different for tall-growing woody and low-growing nonwoody species groups and management decisions in relation to herbivore densities must take
this into account.
- 18 -
Oral presentation
Grazing buffers vegetation change in the mountains of Norway
James Speed* (NTNU Museum of Natural History and Archaeology), Gunnar Austrheim
(NTNU Museum of Natural History and Archaeology), Alison Hester (James Hutton
Institute) and Atle Mysterud (CEES, University of Oslo)
*e-mail : [email protected]
Abstract
Climate warming has been linked to elevational advance of plant distributions and an increase
in species richness in mountain vegetation. However, grazing can also have substantial
impacts on mountain vegetation, and alpine areas of Norway are currently utilised for
livestock grazing. Here we report from a long-term and large-scale sheep grazing experiment
in the mountains of southern Norway, where grazing was increased, decreased or maintained
at previous levels.
Plant community change was minimal where sheep density was maintained at
previous levels. Where grazing ceased, there was a decrease in species richness at low
elevations and an increase in species richness at higher elevations. This occurred in
conjunction with an elevational advance of grassland plant community composition of 3 m
over 8 years. Contrastingly, where sheep density was increased there was a decrease in
species richness of the most selected meadow community, along with down-slope shift of 4 m
in grassland community composition.
Changes in alpine community composition linked to climate are likely to be relatively
inconsequential in comparison to a dramatic increase in treeline elevation caused by reduction
in grazer intensity: We observed recruitment of mountain birch far above the current treeline
where sheep were removed. In comparison, recruitment of birch above the treeline was
suppressed at even low densities of herbivores.
This study shows how herbivore-vegetation interactions vary along an environmental
gradient, and that grazing herbivores can buffer changes caused by other drivers in alpine
vegetation. This has relevance for the management of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
- 19 -
Oral presentation
Spatial distribution and habitat selection in willow ptarmigan - the importance of adult
survival
Mikkel Kvasnes* (Høgskolen i Hedmark, avdeling for anvendt økologi og landbruksfag),
Erlend Nilsen (NINA), Hans Christian Pedersen (NINA) and Torstein Storaas (Høgskolen i
Hedmark)
*e-mail : [email protected]
Abstract
In heterogeneous landscapes individuals select among several habitat patches. The reward of
these patches in terms of fitness is assumed to play an important role in habitat selection and
thus distribution of individuals across landscapes. Individuals can use both environmental
cues to directly assess habitat quality, or rely on social cues such as conspecific attraction as
guide in the settlement decision. We used population data from willow ptarmigan covering 515 years in 42 survey areas within 5 spatially separated populations (mountain regions) in
south-central Norway to; analyze spatial and temporal sources of variation in breeding density
and recruitment, and to evaluate which habitat selection model that best describe the
distribution across mountain landscapes. Variation in breeding density was primarily
attributable to variation between survey areas and is probably caused by spatial heterogeneity
in survival or habitat selection during settlement. In contrast, recruitment was more variable
between years and did not vary consistently between areas when year effects were accounted
for. A lack of relationship between density of the breeding population and recruitment
supported an ideal free distribution (IFD), thus implying that within years in mountain
regions, survey areas of varying breeding densities have approximately equal reproductive
success. However, Taylor’s power law relationship between spatial variance and mean
breeding density revealed stronger aggregation than expected under IFD. A general increase
in density is proportionally greater in high density areas than low density areas. In the light of
willow ptarmigan biology we discuss how this aggregation is probably caused by conspecific
attraction during the settlement stage.
- 20 -
Oral presentation
A mass-balanced pelagic ecosystem model with size-structured behaviourally adaptive
zooplankton and fish
Øyvind Fiksen* (University of Bergen), Marco Castellani (UiB) Rune Rosland (UiB) and
Agurtzane Urtizberea (UiB)
*e-mail : [email protected]
Abstract
One of the challenges in contemporary ecosystem theory and modelling is to integrate the
classical biogeochemical cycling of energy and matter with evolutionary strategies and
behavioural plasticity of organisms. We have developed a mass-balanced marine ecosystem
model including nutrient dynamics, phytoplankton, size-structured zooplankton and fish, with
quite mechanistic predator-prey interactions among zooplankton and between zooplankton
and fish. The key novel feature of the model lies mainly in the behavioural flexibility in the
zooplankton and fish, which all maximize fitness by habitat selection and diet preferences.
The behavioural traits emerge from evolutionary principles and have a profound effect on
ecosystem functioning and structure. In a stable environment the presence of fish has strong
structuring effects over the size-structure of mesozooplankton, but little influence on
phytoplankton because the total biomass of mesozooplankton remains relatively stable over
the fish cycles. The inclusion of adaptive and flexible behaviour leads to emergent effects of
multiple predators; the removal of intra-guild predation among zooplankton result in low fish
abundance because zooplankton spend more time in deeper habitats. I will show present some
properties of the model, and how it can be used to assess ecosystem consequences of
eutrophication and fisheries.
- 21 -
Oral presentation
Camera-traps, sampling design, and the recolonization of the arctic fox in northern
Norway
Sandra Hamel* (University of Tromsø), S.T. Killengreen (Uni. Tromsø), J.-A. Henden (Uni.
Tromsø), N.G. Yoccoz (Uni. Tromsø) and R.A. Ims (Uni. Tromsø)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
The development of camera-traps has provided an opportunity to study ecological
relationships of species that are rare or difficult to observe, and the use of camera-traps has
seen a major increase recently. Here, we first used an extensive camera-trap data set from a
large-scale spatio-temporal study of a diverse assemblage of scavengers in subarctic/arctic
tundra to determine sampling designs that minimize detection errors, and to evaluate the
influence of sampling design on estimation of site occupancy. Our results showed that use of
raw data from both time- and movement-triggered cameras can lead to large detection errors.
Nevertheless, sampling design had negligible impacts on estimates and precision of
parameters obtained from occupancy models, as long as the time interval between the pictures
remained below 20 min and the sampling period included 20 to 30 problem-free days. We
then used occupancy models to evaluate the relative importance of diverse factors affecting
the recolonization of arctic foxes in northern Norway. Arctic foxes drastically declined in the
early 19th and their lack of recovery has been hypothesized to result from increased
interspecific competition with red foxes and/or changes in prey dynamics. With the help of an
extensive red fox removal intervention, we showed that the probability of recolonization is
affected by both the presence of red foxes and the abundance of lemmings. Nonetheless, our
results clearly highlight the presence of red foxes as the factor most limiting arctic fox
recolonization in this part of its distribution.
- 22 -
Poster abstract nr: 1
Spatial distribution of nests and breeding success of rough-legged buzzard in
Malozemelskaya tundra
Olga Kulikova* (Moscow State University)
*e-mail : [email protected]
Abstract
Most of the ecological studies that concern predators in tundra zone, including the roughlegged buzzard, focus on their interactions with the populations of their main prey: lemmings
and voles, well known for their cyclic population outbreaks. The question of finding patterns
in spatial distribution of the nests and its possible influence on the breeding success is not
covered very well. In our study we tried to link the breeding success of the pairs with the nest
location within different densities of the buzzard on the experimental plot.
The data was collected on a 100km2 plot on the North-Western Russian tundra
(upstream of the Pechora River), from 2007 to 2010. We visited the nests several times during
the nesting season and assumed breeding success according to the number of days that every
chick had been alive in each nest (N=34,min=4,max=14). Snap-trapping of rodents in the
spring and in the fall each season (~1800 trap-nights per season) allowed us to rank the years
according the food availability for the rough-legged buzzard.
As a result we can conclude that the nests tend to aggregate in the river valleys, and
the aggregation is more distinct in the year with low rodent density. Regarding the position of
the nests within the landscape, they can be clearly divided into two types: the ones placed in
the vicinity of river valleys and others - on the watershed. The Wilcoxon test (t = –2,076; d.f.
= 32; p = 0,046) shows that the breeding success in the valley nests is significantly higher,
than in the ones on the watershed
- 23 -
Poster abstract nr: 2
Distribution of four grass native species in Silvopastoral landscapes in Nicaragua
Julio Morales* (NINA), Graciela M. Rusch (Norwegian Institute for Nature Research NINA,
Trondheim, Norway), Lars Söderström (Norwegian University of Science and Technology
NTNU Trondheim, Norway), Lester Rocha (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua
UNAN‐Managua, Managua, Nicaragua), Fernando Casanoves (Centro Agronómico
Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza CATIE, Turrialba, CostaRica)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Due to the management history, seminatural grasslands, the herbaceous component of the
silvopastoral landscape in Central America, are composed by exotic and native species. There
is a tendency in the region to replace these grasslands by exotic grasses with the aim to
improve productivity, but results are of varying success and the introductions may result in
the degradation of the vegetation cover. To enhance the knowledge about the native species,
such as their distribution and habitat requirements is a first step to increase awareness about
the value of native species for current and future uses. The aim of this study was to assess the
association of four common native grass species with environmental factors at 2 spatial
scales. Two hundred plots were observed across two regions in Nicaragua, the Center and the
South Pacific. The correspondence among the distribution of the species and the
environmental factors was analyzed with Principal Component Analysis and Spearman
correlations. The most wide-spread species were P. notatum and P. virgatum, but the latter
was locally little abundant. Locally, Paspalum notatum and Paspalum conjugatum are
common, but Paspalum centrale was wide-spread but little abundant. At regional level, land
use history and dynamics, and edaphic features appear to be the main factors driving the
distribution of the species. Locally, soil and to lesser extent altitude, were important. Among
the other factors evaluated, topographic situation affects the distribution of P. centrale and P.
conjugatum
- 24 -
Poster abstract nr: 3
Biodiversity of traditionally used boreal hay lands: changes, dynamics and threats
Dag-Inge Øien* (NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet), Asbjørn Moen (NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet),
Anders Lyngstad (NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet), Nina Sletvold (Uppsala universitet)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Changes in land-use during the last century are considered one of the most serious threats to
the biodiversity of the traditional agricultural landscape. For more than four decades
succession in plant communities and populations dynamics of outlying hay fens and
grasslands have been studied in permanent plots in two nature reserves in central Norway:
Sølendet and Tågdalen.
The main aim is to document the effects of management activities such as mowing,
trampling, burning and cattle grazing. The long-term data also allows us to quantify the
effects of climate change, and its interaction with management activities.
In the permanent plots populations of more than 60 plant species are monitored. Demographic
data from yearly censuses are analysed using autoregressive models, matrix population
models and LTRE analysis.
Our results show that regular mowing leads to a general reduction in woody plants.
The proportion of herbs is reduced, whereas that of the graminoids is increased. The
pleurocarpous, prostrate bryophytes are favoured, whereas acrocarpous and ‘hummockbuilding’ bryophytes are reduced. These changes are not due to an impoverishment of the soil,
but due to the high degree of disturbance caused by regular mowing.
Cost of reproduction, summer temperature and precipitation are important factors
affecting the population dynamics of fen and grassland species. Management activities
interact with these factors, and climate change will alter the effects of management on
population growth rate and population viability.
Four doctor theses, seven master theses and a large number of papers have been published
from the long-term studies; see: http://www.ntnu.no/vitenskapsmuseet/kulturlandskapmidt-norge/.
- 25 -
Poster abstract nr: 4
Do saproxylic beetles display scale-specific responses to dead wood abundance, and can
forest parameters from digital maps be used as a proxy for dead wood surveys?
Rannveig Jacobsen* (Norwegian University of Life Sciences), Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson
(Norwegian University of Life Sciences), Tone Birkemoe (Norwegian University of Life
Sciences).
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Studies of the relation between species richness of saproxylic insects and dead wood volume
have been inconsistent with regard to spatial scale, and multiscale studies have found that this
relation can differ depending on scale.
In this study, dead wood was surveyed at sample sites spread across two relatively
large areas in southeast Norway. Mean dead wood volume per ha was calculated for the area
surrounding insect sample sites within three different radii; 1 km, 2 km and 3 km. Beetles
were sampled from fresh aspen logs. Dead wood volume in general was only significant to
saproxylic beetle species richness for the 1 km radius. However, dead wood of specific
categories such as early decay or aspen dead wood had significant positive correlations at the
2 km scale. No dead wood categories were significant at the 3 km scale.
Dead wood surveys are labour-intensive, which often limits the scale of the survey.
Parameters from wall-to-wall digital maps can easily be obtained for multiple and large
scales. Parameters describing the forest surrounding the insect sample sites were extracted
from digital maps for the areas within the three radii. The parameter describing area of forest
with much deciduous wood was the strongest predictor for species richness of aspen
associated saproxylic insects. It was also significantly correlated with field data of abundance
of aspen dead wood. Significantly larger volumes of dead wood were registered in the field at
survey sites within forests with higher volume of living trees according to the digital maps.
Thus, forest volume has the potential to be used as a proxy for dead wood volume within
similar landscapes and environments.
- 26 -
Poster abstract nr: 5
Positive effects on population growth of temporal variability in food resources
Frederic Barraquand* (University of Tromsø), Nigel G. Yoccoz (University of Tromsø)
*e-mail : [email protected]
Abstract
Temporal variability in vital rates reduces population growth or population size. However,
when temporal variability affects a exogeneous variable such as food or climate,
environmental variability can sometimes benefit population growth, thanks to averaging
effects over convex functional forms. Taking the example of rodent-eating predators such as
foxes and skuas, whose resource can have highly variable dynamics, we show that in both
regulated and unregulated population models, resource variability can be beneficial to
consumer populations. These results are constrasted to general theory considering directly
variability in vital rates, and explained thanks to Jensen's inequality and its spinoffs. Special
attention is paid to the emergence of convexity in logarithmic population growth rates - a
topic that has been often neglected in the population dynamics literature. We summarize how
our results could influence population dynamics and life-history theory, considering not only
variability in food resources but also climatic drivers.
- 27 -
Poster abstract nr: 6
Spatial and temporal variation in hippoboscid parasitism by Ornithomyia lagopodis on
house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and its effect on survival
Helene Russell Vastveit* (NTNU), Håkon Holand (NTNU), Henrik Pärn (NTNU), Henrik
Jensen (NTNU), Jarle Tufto (NTNU), Bernt Erik Sæther (NTNU), Thor Harald Ringsby
(NTNU)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
We studied the effects of the louse fly (Ornithomya lagopus) in an insular metapopulation of
house sparrows (Passer domesticus) consisting of four islands in the period 2004-2011 on the
coast of Helgeland in northern Norway. The prevalence of the parasite during the summer and
fall seasons varied substantially between years and islands in the archipelago as well as
showing seasonality within years. In addition there were significant effects of louse fly load
on fitness measured as juvenile recruitment probabilities. These results suggest that louse fly
presence may have a significant influence on metapopulation dynamics.
- 28 -
Poster abstract nr: 7
Restoration – from seeds to vegetation
Line Rosef* (Norwegian University of Life Science (UMB)), Dagmar Hagen (Norwegian
Institute for Nature Research (NINA)) and Knut Rydgren (Sogn og Fjordane University
College (HiSF))
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Ecological restoration has been described as a scientific and applied counterpart to the loss of
biodiversity from habitat destruction, and the need for comprehensive restoration is stated in
the Aichi goals of the Convention on biological diversity. Restoration of human-caused
disturbance of landscape has usually been solved by seeding of commercial grass species.
Seeding of native seeds can be a more ecological sustainable solution. However, the
ecological effect of seeding is unclear and it might cause negative impact on vegetation
dynamics and biodiversity.
As a part of the research project ‘ECONADA - ECOlogically sustainable
implementation of the ‘NAture Diversity Act’ (Naturmangfoldloven) for restoration of
disturbed landscapes in Norway’ (2010-2014), we will clarify the impact of ecological factors
on seed establishment after various types of disturbances, the implications of sowing for long
term vegetation development, and determine when sowing is appropriate for long term
ecological restoration.
We study the ecological possibilities and constraints of using native seeds in
restoration by two main approaches: 1) Short-term establishment by studying data from two
experimental sites, one established in 2011 at Hjerkinn (Dovrefjell) and one established in
2008 at Bitdalen (Rauland). 2) Long-term vegetation dynamics by studying effects of seeding
on vegetation dynamics in 30-50 years old spoil heaps in Hemsedal, Hol and Aurland and 20
year old seeded road sides at Dovrefjell. By combining these results, we will elaborate the
short- and long-term effects of seeding for ecological restoration of alpine areas.
- 29 -
Poster abstract nr: 8
Reaction of plant groups in a recovering tropical forest
Amy Eycott* (University of Bergen), Esaete, J.
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Forests in densely populated developing countries are likely to be subjected to intensive use
by people. The resilience of component species to disturbance therefore affects the
sustainability of the forest resource. Mabira Forest in Uganda is a forest with a history of both
management and unmanaged intensive use: a 300 km2 forest reserve about 50 km from the
centre of Kampala, it consists of a mosaic of patches disturbed over different time periods.
Broad plant functional groups present in Mabira respond to disturbance in different
ways. We surveyed large trees, woody shrubs and saplings, ferns, and herbs, in stands that
had either been relatively undisturbed since the 1950s, managed since the 1950s, or
encroached by settlers in the 1980s. We compared the similarities between samples taken
from the four plant groups: the datasets for each were analysed in parallel, then the
arrangement of the samples in ordination space compared. The ordinations were not
correlated with one another, indicating very different responses to disturbance or other
environmental gradients. Given the different responses we then used constrained ordinations
with backwards-selection modelling to find important environmental variables for each plant
group. Trees, shrubs and saplings were influenced by time since last disturbance, ferns were
influenced by distance from streams, ie microclimate, and non-woody angiosperms by leaf
litter cover ie microhabitat. Herb and fern species richness were both higher in old-growth
stands, whereas large tree species richness was higher in old secondary stands.
Conservation of both timber and non-timber resources, as well as biodiversity as an
intrinsic benefit, will therefore depend on the sensitivity of the relevant plant groups to
specific aspects of disturbance impact. Holistic forest management plans should take these
differences into account in order to maximise sustainability.
- 30 -
Poster abstract nr: 9
The Matrix: Influence of Disturbance and Fragmentation on Species Richness in
Ugandan Forests
Amy Eycott* (University of Bergen), Akite, P. Baranga, D., Bulafu, C., Nordtveit, E.,
Telford, R.J., Vandvik, V.
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Millennia of human activity in the fertile region around Lake Victoria have fragmented and
degraded the once-extensive moist broadleaf forest. Despite legal protection by gazetting a
network of forest reserves, pressure on these forests continues, both from illegal timber and
charcoal production and by clearing forests to allow subsistence farming, sugar cane and oil
palm plantations. The rate of clearance is accelerating rather than slowing.
The Matrix project is a collaboration between Bergen University and Makerere
University, Kampala, Uganda that draws on the existing biodiversity data from the region. We
have used resampling and new studies to assess the impact of forest fragmentation on diverse
species groups: Lepidoptera, birds, monkeys, bats, trees and ferns. The project also includes a
legal component looking at the reasons for forest clearance and the impact of legal
frameworks for ownership. Ugandan forest biodiversity is depleted by habitat disturbance,
both past and ongoing (evidence from plants and lepidoptera), habitat fragmentation
(evidence from trees and lepidoptera), and matrix use intensity (evidence from bats and birds).
Disturbed and fragmented forests are dominated by forest generalists and edge species, with
depletion of forest specialists continuing long after the fragmentation or logging disturbance
has ceased. It is not clear how much this is due to matrix intensification and how much to
paying off extinction debt. However, even quite small fragments can contain species of
conservation importance - we recorded ten red-listed tree species in>10ha fragments around
Kampala, in an urban matrix. Reserve forests fare better than privately-owned forests, and
private forests with secure ownership are more likely to remain uncleared than those where
the ownership is not formalised. Therefore, while effective protection of reserve forests
remains a priority and a challenge, smaller fragments can play a role in species conservation if
the owner feels secure in retaining the value of the forests.
- 31 -
Poster abstract nr: 10
Do red deer enhance the plant species heterogeneity of boreal forests?
Marte Synnøve Lilleeng* (Høyskolen i Sogn og Fjordane & Norwegian University of Life
Sciences), Stein Joar Hegland (Norwegian Red deer centre), Knut Rydgren (Sogn &
Fjordane University College), Stein R. Moe (Norwegian University of Life Sciences)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Heterogeneity in plant communities can be influenced by environmental factors and large
herbivores. How large herbivores contribute to this heterogeneity is, however, debated. The
literature suggests that large herbivores act as ecosystem engineers by e.g. trampling and
selective feeding, and that effect of large herbivores depend on ecosystem productivity.
Northern populations of red deer (Cervus elaphus) reach unprecedented levels. The
influence of red deer on the plant species heterogeneity is poorly understood, especially in
boreal ecosystems. Therefore, we examined red deer as a potential driver of plant species
heterogeneity in a boreal forest by a long-term grazing experiment (10 years).
We found that red deer grazing mainly affected the young three layer. Tree species
increased in abundance and richness by excluding herbivores. Grazing did not affect richness
and abundance in the field layer. Mosses showed a reduction in abundance when large
herbivores were excluded. We found that alpha diversity decreased over the study period.
This change was, however, slower and less severe in grazed plots than in ungrazed plots.
Grazing did not affect beta diversity and evenness, but evenness showed an overall reduction
during the study period.
In line with previous predictions for relatively resource poor systems, our results show
that red deer does not act as a driver for heterogeneity in the plant species community in
boreal forests. Surprisingly, red deer presence appeared to slow down a long-term reduction in
plant species diversity.
- 32 -
Poster abstract nr: 11
Lemming and vole population dynamics affect seedling recruitment in alpine habitats
Kristin Odden Nystuen* (NINA), Marianne Evju (NINA), Graciela M. Rusch (NINA), Bente
Jessen Graae (NTNU), Nina E. Eide (NINA)
*e-mail : [email protected]
Abstract
Lemmings and voles with their cyclic population dynamics are important herbivores in arcticalpine areas at northern latitudes, with major effects on vegetation composition, biomass and
diversity. In this study we investigate the effect of lemmings and voles on seedling emergence
in two alpine habitats, snow-bed and sheltered heath, in the low-alpine zone of two mountain
regions in Norway. Natural seedling emergence was recorded in a rodent peak year and in the
following low-density year in both regions. We found seedling recruitment to be positively
correlated with disturbance from lemmings and voles in both years. However, more seedlings
emerged in the low-density year after the peak, when no direct disturbance from rodents was
exerted. As expected did the snow-beds have higher seedling recruitment than the heaths.
Furthermore was the seedling emergence positively affected by bare ground and litter cover in
the peak year, while in the low density year there was a negative effect of lichen cover. Our
results suggest that microsite limitation in both snow-bed and sheltered heath is common, and
that the cyclic oscillations of lemmings and voles have an important role in plant recruitment
dynamics in these communities.
- 33 -
Poster abstract nr: 12
The present and possible future alpine vegetation along a coast – inland gradient in
Central Norway
Sølvi When* (Bioforsk Midt-Norge), Jarle I. Holten (Terrestrial Ecology Research), Sverre
Lundemo (Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology Centre (EBC),
Uppsala University)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Alpine vegetation shifts along gradients of topography (snowbed, leeside and ridge), height
above sea level (bioclimatic alpine zones) and oceanicity (bioclimatic sections). Changes in
mountaintop-vegetation due to recent climate change are being observed throughout the
world, however, the trends are not consistent. The main effects of climate change in alpine
vegetation will be due to changes in stability and duration of snow cover, length of growing
season and precipitation. Therefore, to be able to predict possible shifts due to climate change
in a given region, vegetation will have to be investigated along all these gradients.
The overriding objective here is to present a project in which permanent plots have
been established at four mountains along a coast-inland transect in Central Norway.
Both species richness and species turnover varied along the gradients of the bioclimatic
sections, topography and bioclimatic alpine zones.
During the last decades climatic variables such as snow water equivalent and growing
degree days, have changed along this coast-inland gradient, but the size and direction of
change vary between localities. Since present day vegetation differ, it is reasonable to believe
that plant communities in these mountains will respond differently and thus, general scenarios
of future vegetation across the region will not be possible to construct. The aim of this project
is therefore to obtain knowledge on the spatial and temporal variation in vegetation
composition, including a number of abiotic factors as explanatory variables.
- 34 -
Poster abstract nr: 13
Potential effects of sheep grazing on ecosystem services and biodiversity
Sølvi: Wehn* (Bioforsk Midt-Norge), Knut Anders Hovstad (Bioforsk) Line Johansen
(Bioforsk)
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
The rural landscape in Norway is undergoing large changes due to changes in livestock
grazing. The main changes are establishment of shrub and trees in earlier open land. This has
important consequences for provision of ecosystem services and biodiversity, and threatens
red-listed habitat-types like semi-natural grassland, coastal heath and boreal heath.
In numbers and off-take of herbage, sheep is by far the most important grazing
livestock in Norway and accounts for two-thirds of total outfield resources extracted by
livestock. The grazing resources available in Norwegian outfields can, however, sustain twice
as much livestock as today. The Norwegian government aim to maintain the present level of
self-sufficiency and suggest increased outfield grazing as a contribution to reach this goal.
Increased outfield grazing will thus both sustain biodiversity and enhance benefits for users,
which are goals defined in the Convention on biological diversity.
The overall aim of this interdisciplinary project is to get knowledge about biological
and sosioeconomical potentials and restrictions for various sheep-farm management systems
in Norway. We will present preliminary results from one of the work-packages where the aim
is to study the effect of sheep grazing on ecosystem services and biodiversity. The project
includes areas both grazed and ungrazed by sheep in a quasi-experimental design. Plant
species, encroachment, landscape structure and other environmental factors are registered in
order to quantify the effect of sheep grazing. In 2012 the study was located in the county of
Sogn og Fjordane and in 2013 the study will be replicated in Mid-Norway.
- 35 -
Poster abstract nr: 14
The spatial scaling of moose browsing
Ivar Herfindal* (CCB, NTNU), Hilde Karine Wam, Unni Støbet Lande, Jean-Pierre
Tremblay, Allison Hester
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Forests provide ecosystem services that are of important for human, but the interests of
different benefits from forests often conflict. In Scandinavia, high abundance of moose is an
important economic and food resource, but moose browsing often limits regeneration of clear
cuts. By altering the abundance of alternative high-quality browse, forest owners may reduce
forest damages by a spatial redistribution of moose, or due to dietary changes at the foraging
patch. However, the effect of this may depend on the spatial scale of the forage distribution.
We used an extensive dataset on moose winter browsing from south-eastern Norway to assess
the extent of moose browse of pine in relation to availability of alternative browse at different
spatial scales: within a foraging patch, forest stand, forest property, and municipality. The
latter three represent the spatial scales of forest management. Overall, moose browsed pine as
expected based on its availability. In contrast, several deciduous species were highly
preferred, whereas Norway spruce never was browsed. There was a negative relationship
between pine abundance and proportion of trees with damage at all spatial scales. High
availability of preferred browse increased pine browsing, but within the forage patch the
combination of a high abundance of both pine and alternative preferred forage reduced the
probability that a pine tree was browsed. The results suggest that on a local scale, increasing
alternative browse may decrease pine browsing, but at larger spatial scales increased
alternative forage may even increase pine browse by moose.
- 36 -
Poster abstract nr: 15
Matrilineal diversity in Serengeti elephants: invasion, hybridization and isolation
Frode Fossøy*1, Håvard Rosenlund1, Abul Hasnat Mohammad Raihan Sarker1,2, Lisa Furu
Baardsen1, Heidi Gunilla Tingvold1, Craig Ryan Jackson1, Robert Dominikus Fyumagwa3 &
Eivin Røskaft1
¹ Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU),
Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
2
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong,
Bangladesh
3
Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), Serengeti Wildlife Research Centre,
P.O.Box 661, Arusha, Tanzania
*e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract:
Conservation areas are becoming increasingly important as safe harbours for natural wildlife.
However, corridors connecting the different conservation areas are often missing, creating
isolated islands of wildlife without any possibility of migration and gene flow among them.
The genetic structure and diversity within each conservation area therefore becomes essential
for the future survival of these populations. A growing concern is now being raised by the
global public as the “Serengeti Highway”, a road planned to link Tanzania’s north-western
coast to Lake Victoria with the larger cities further south, is under construction. The road will
transverse ca. 50 km of Serengeti, running east-west parallel with Tanzania’s border to
Kenya, and potentially act as a wildlife barrier between Serengeti and Masai Mara National
Reserve in Kenya. Here, we analyse mitochondrial differentiation and genetic diversity of
African Savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) within Serengeti National Park, northern
Tanzania, and relate our findings to regional samples across Africa. We found no evidence of
genetic structure within the national park. The Serengeti elephants showed a wide range of
mitochondrial haplotypes as compared to regional samples, but 80 % of individuals originated
from one single dominating haplotype, apparently being introgressed from Forest elephants
(L. cyclotis). The other haplotypes thus had very low frequencies leaving them vulnerable to
local extinction within the park. As part of an ongoing IPBES sponsored project, biodiversity
surveys within Serengeti National Park and particularly along the planned road will be
continued.
- 37 -
List of participants
Name
Institution
Per Arild
Steve
Anne Guri
anne lene
Iulie
Inger
Ruth Jenny
Gunnar
Aarrestad
Albon
Aase
aase
Aslaksen
Auestad
Auran
Austrheim
Frederic
Bolette
Tone
H. John B.
Nora
Kari Anne
Linda
Barraquand
Bele
Birkemoe
Birks
Bjørnlid
Bråthen
Dalen
Maja
Ola H.
Kari
Steinar
Dinéh Sørheim
Diserud
Ellingsen
Engen
Marianne
Amy
Øyvind
Anders G.
Kåre
Elisabet
Frode
Tijana
Kristin E.
Bente
John-Arvid
Anette
Thomas
Dagmar
Sandra
Liv Norunn
Brage B.
Kwaslema
Turid
Ditte
Evju
Eycott
Fiksen
Finstad
Flatlandsmo
Forsgren
Fossøy
Gajic
Gangås
Graae
Grytnes
Gundersen
Haaland
Hagen
Hamel
Hamre
Hansen
Hariohay
Helle
Hendrichsen
NINA
James Hutton UK
NTNU
INA, UMB, Ås
Statistisk sentralbyrå
Høgskulen i Sogn og Fjordane
NTNU
Museum of Natural History and
Archaeology, NTNU
University of Tromsø
Bioforsk
INA, UMB
University of Bergen
NTNU
University of Tromsø
Norwegian Directorate for Nature
Management
NTNU
NINA
NINA
CBD, Dept. og Mathematical Sciences,
NTNU
NINA
University of Bergen
University of Bergen
NINA
NINA
IBI, NTNU
NTNU
Hedmark University College
NTNU
Universitetet i Bergen
University of Bergen
NTNU
NINA
University of Tromsø
Høgskulen i Sogn og Fjordane
NTNU
NTNU
NTNU
NINA
- 38 -
Name
Institution
Ivar
John E
Herfindal
Hermansen
Jarle Inge
Knut Anders
Oddmund
Åshild
Rannveig
Holten
Hovstad
Huseby
Idsø
Jacobsen
Line
Stein Rune
Finn
Kari
Anders
Johansen
Karlsen
Katerås
Klanderud
Klemetsen
Olga
Mikkel
Kulikova
Kvasnes
Aline M.
Lee
Marte
Synnøve
Sverre
Anders
Eiliv
Flora
Ingrid E.
Karen M.
Roel
Jutta
Kristiane
Asbjørn
Siri
Julio
Inger
Lilleeng
Erlend B.
Liv S.
Cecilie
Signe
Kristin
Endre G.
Mirja
Øystein
Nilsen
Nilsen
Notø
Nybø
Odden Nystuen
Ofstad
Olsen
Opedal
Lundemo
Lyngstad
Lægreid
Manyama
Mathisen
Mathisen
May
Meiforth
Midtaune
Moen
Monkan
Morales
Måren
Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, NTNU
NTNU Industrial Economics and
Technology Managment
Terrestrial Ecology Research
Bioforsk
NTNU
Universitetet i Bergen, Biologi
Norwegian University for Life Sciences
(UMB)
Bioforsk
Northern Research Institute Tromsø
Norwegian Ministry of the Environment
Universitetet for miljø og biovitenskap
Univ. Tromsø, Dept. Arctic and Marine
Biology
Moscow State Unoversity
Høgskolen i Hedmark avdeling for anvendt
økologi og landbruksfag
Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics,
Department of Biology, Norwegian
University of Science and Technology
Sogn og Fjordane University college AND
Norwegian University of life sciences
Uppsala university
NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet
Universitet i Tromsø
NTNU
NINA
Hedmark University College
NINA
Trondheim kommune, Miljøenheten
NTNU
NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet
NTNU
NINA
Department of Geography, University of
Bergen
NINA
Statens naturoppsyn
UMB
NINA
HiNT/NTNU
NTNU
NTNU, biologi
NTNU
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Name
Kristian
Ingeborg
Bård
Åsa
Hans Chr.
Tommy
Adrian
Irja Ida
Astrid
Thor Harald
Grethe
Line
Gunilla
Graciela M.
Mirjana
Kayero I.
Peter J.
Marcel
Knut
Olav
Sigrid
Nina
Erik
Linan
James
Hans K.
Audun
Bård G
Richard
Line
Anne
Bernt-Erik
Ørjan
Marie
Jiska
Vigdis
Helene
Vebjørn
Institution
Overskaug
Palm Helland
Pedersen
Pedersen
DKNVS
NINA
NINA
Norwegian Directorate for Nature
Management
Pedersen
NINA
Prestø
NTNU Museum of Natural History and
Archaeology
Rasmussen
INA
Ratikainen
Department of Biology, NTNU
Raunsgard
NTNU
Ringsby
Centre of Biodiversity Dynamics, Institutt
for Biologi, NTNU
Robertsen
NINA
Rosef
University of Life Science (UMB)
Rosenqvist
NTNU
Rusch
NINA
Sadojevic
NTNU
Sanda
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Schei
FNI
Schrijvers-Gonlag
Høgskolen i Hedmark, campus Evenstad
Simensen
Direktoratet for naturforvaltning
Skarpaas
NINA
Skrivervik Bruvoll UIB
Sletvold
Uppsala University
Solbu
NTNU
Song
NTNU
Speed
NTNU Museum of Natural History and
Archaeology
Stenøien
NTNU Museum of Natural History and
Archaeology
Stien
NINA
Stokke
NTNU
Strimbeck
Inst. for biologi NTNU
Sundt-Hansen
NINA
Sverdrup-Thygeson The Norwegian University of Life Sciences,
Dep. of Ecology and Natural Resource
Management
Sæther
NTNU
Totland
UMB/INA
Uhlen Maurset
vanDijk
NINA
Vandvik
Universitetet i Bergen
Vastveit
NTNU
Veiberg
NINA
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Name
Liv Guri
Ingrid
María del Mar
Nina
Kristin
Sølvi
Sandra
Dag-Inge
Jens
Institution
Velle
Verne
Villar de Pablo
Vik
Wangen
Wehn
Öberg
Øien
Åström
Bioforsk
NTNU
DN
NTNU
Bioforsk
NINA
NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet
NINA
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